It was fantastic effort by bowlers: Dhoni

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni today credited the bowlers for his team's nine-wicket victory over England in the opening cricket Test here, saying that the spinners put in a lot of hard work on a wicket that did not offer much turn.

After India scored 521-8 declared in the first innings, it was the bowlers, especially the spinners, who set the stage for the team as they dismissed the English team twice.

"There was something in the wicket to start with but as the game progressed there was low bounce but not much turn. It was hard work for the spinners. They bowled 70-80 overs, even fast bowlers bowled overs 40 overs. So it was a fantastic effort from them," Dhoni said.

"Even if you misjudged the flight you had time to adjust and not much carried to the slips. So it was important to bowl at the right areas and was also important not to give many runs. Ojha bowled a tight line and took extra responsibility."

The India skipper also had good things to say about man of the match Cheteshwar Pujara who scored an unbeaten double ton in the first innings and was not out at 41 in the second.

"It was a fantastic game for Pujara. He has the temperament to play big innings and has shown that on the domestic circuit. He makes sure he converts fifties to hundreds. Overall it was a fantastic effort by the team," he said.

Dismissed for 191 in their first innings, England put up a commendable performance in their second essay, scoring 406 after following on.